The call to Blacktown and Fairfield came almost at the same time, especially when there was an exodus of population to the outer suburbs.

In August, 1951, the Brothers received a letter from Archbishop O'Brien on behalf of His Eminence Cardinal Gilroy, requesting staff for a new boys' school planned for Fairfield. At this time, Fairfield was an outer and rapidly expanding suburb of Sydney with a large concentration of post-war migrants from Europe. Whereas there were primary convent schools at nearby Cabramatta, Smithfield and Villawood as well as Fairfield, there were no opportunities for senior primary and secondary Catholic Education for boys in this new centre.(Photo: Opening of new classrooms in 1965.)

The Provincial, Brother Norbert and his Council agreed to the Cardinal's request and Brother Kevin Samuel, Brother Eugene Kelly and Brother Peter Johnson (Superior and Principal) formed the first Patrician Community at Fairfield. The Brothers took up residence in an old weatherboard homestead which was on the 10 hectare property, which had recently been acquired by the Archdiocese as a site for the school.
 
When Cardinal Gilroy blessed the Monastery and officially opened the school on March 8th, 1953, there were 170 pupils enrolled in Years 4, 5 and 6.

The original classrooms were in brick, and separated by concrete quadrangles. That pattern of building was retained and was repeated regularly to cope with the expanding enrolment which ten years later had reached almost one thousand.

The grounds in which the school was situated were a disused orchard and vineyard - uneven and ungrassed and abounding in powdery surface soil. In the early sixties, the Brothers, supported by parents and students, embarked on a levelling, grass-planting and tree-planting campaign which was the foundation of the pleasant environment in which today's large complex is situated.

From six classrooms in 1953, the pupil accommodation has grown to over forty classrooms in 1982, as well as a library and assembly hall, science laboratories, a modern manual arts block and various other specialist facilities. (Photo: As it was in early 80s.)

Patrician Brothers' College, Fairfield, became the largest single campus enrolment of any Boys' Catholic School in New South Wales.

The year 1956 was the year in which the students sat for the first public examination - the Intermediate - for candidates of present Year 9 age. The Intermediate level was the terminating year in the school until 1961, when the first group of students sat for the Leaving Certificate. This development marked a significant event in the life of the school as the first Leaving Certificate class contained students from Patrician Brothers' Schools at Blacktown, Granville and Liverpool. This intake of students from other Patrician Schools for their final years of secondary schooling continued until these areas gained their own senior secondary school.

In 1993 the Primary section of the College moved across the creek to take up residence just behind the parish Church. A Brother remained Principal there until 2003. The school is due to close in 2006. (Click here for the Primary school page.)

College Recent Developments

On June the 25th, 2000, several years of construction on the campus came to an end with the official opening and blessing of the new College facilities and classrooms. The old Year 8, 9, 10, and Primary blocks made way for an entirely new complex of buildings including a new library, Science wing, College hall and gymnasium, and Music and Creative Arts centre. The old senior block was completely renovated, what was once the College hall and library became the administration and staff areas.